As a major fan of Behind the Iron Curtain, the previously CD/tape-only 1996 album by the 4 man NY/Atlanta crew Sleestack’z, GRR is excited to be releasing the long overdue 2LP vinyl version of this cult classic. Featuring all 18 tracks from the original album PLUS 3 bonus joints recorded around the same time, this is a must-have for any fans of 90s hip hop. The vinyl is limited to 300 copies (100 on clear vinyl, 200 on black vinyl) and comes in a white jacket with oversize sticker, as well as printed liner notes on the history of the group and making of the album.

The last week I’ve spent a lot of time filling in at the local community radio station while the regular hosts have gotten drunk in the name of our lord, Yeezus Price. Episode 5 was let down by technical issues, despite a quality playlist, while I felt I hit my stride on Episode 7. Regardless, radio was the real winner as some great rap was broadcast to the masses.

Empire Music have posted the new Diamond album on their YouTube channel for your enjoyment. Here’s a re-up of D-Squizzy’s track-by-track breakdown of the album here while you listen. Available now on CD and digital.

Diamond D: It’s more or less a production LP, about two and a half years it took. A lot of tracks I didn’t even use. I had about 27 tracks but I only used 18. Some of the artists I was in the studio with, and others – because of their touring schedule and my touring schedule – I just sent them music and they sent me the session back. If the track that I give them has a sample in it that’s giving it direction then they’ll follow that. If there is no sample or concept at the beginning I just let the MC’s paint their own pictures and try to figure out how can make it connect. I use a lot more live instrumentation now. I still chop and manipulate samples, but my sound just sounds bigger now. Just using better equipment so the sample frequencies are better.

“I met James Brown when I was seven years old. My mom took me to a concert in Mt. Vernon, New York. He came and performed and me and my younger brother met him. My younger brother was six and I was seven and we met James Brown. It was crazy! When we met him I think he passed something on to me. I wasn’t the same after I met him.”

Check the debut LP from new Diamond D discovery Big Rec from Oklahoma, produced entirely by the “Best Producer On The Mic” himself. Stand-out for me was the “NO 2 NC” which flips the same loop that Godfather Don used on “Seeds of Hate.” Cop it over at iTunes.

For fans of 90’s era Lord Finesse beats (and let’s face it, who isn’t?) the Slice of Spice crew have compiled a vinyl package to “keep the crowd listening.”

Finesse dug deep into his floppy disk and DAT tape archives to help bring us a monster 25 tracks of unreleased and previously unavailable SP1200 heat. After Finesse hooked-up the E-mu Systems SP1200 and Akai S950 to transfer and sequence these tracks, we had Eddie Sancho mix then, and Tony Dawsey master them.

Cole James Cash has just dropped a new instrumental project themed around all Vietnamese-based musical samples. He also provided a detailed explanation of each track exclusively for Unkut below the break…

Check this tenth anniversary compilation of Unearthed Records material, mixed by the one and only DJ Revolution, who I once suggested should go and punch a whale during his stay in Australia. Available on 2CD with mixed and unmixed versions.

After twenty long years, the CDQ version of Mobb Deep’s contribution to the long tradition of “The Bridge” remakes has finally been released into the wild. I’m declaring today an international holiday to celebrate – skip work, grab a few 40’s and go and brake some car windows in honor of this historic occasion.

Forgot to post this last month, but in case your sitting on the fence about copping the latest chapter in the Doppel Gospel, you can stream the entire Peace Kehd LP before grabbing the CD or vinyl.(more…)